theSQUIDSTER

Vort, When you say "I never try my best. Never." How much do you really mean that? It sounds like a pretty harsh self-judgement to me. But how sure are you that you're really not giving your best more often than you give yourself credit for? What kind of race are we running in this life? A sprint, or more of a marathon? It sounds to me like you're expecting yourself to SPRINT the entire marathon rather than to pace yourself. (So I've sort of answered what type of race *I* think it is... ) I guess the reason I'm pointing this out is because most of the people that berate themselves for not doing their best often enough seem to me to have the expectation of SPRINTING the entire distance... and only that would be good enough to merit exaltation. But who the heck can do that? (Besides Jesus maybe... Though even he needed to rest at times...) So what really IS our best? Do any of us really have a clue? I personally doubt it. I think we talk about it as though we have some precise means of measuring what we're capable of ... but I doubt we really know our capabilities any more than a baby girl knows what kind of woman she's going to grow up to be. She may listen to her parents and believe them when they tell her what they believe she's capable of becoming... But how does she know on a day-to-day basis if she's going to make it? What if she grows tired one day and gives up? Does that disqualify her? Of course not! Her parents help her up and try and convince her to keep going. Let me put it a little differently ... back to the marathon metaphor. If I were your coach and trying to help you gear up for the day when you plan to run the marathon ... what kind of coach would I be if I told you to do less than your best? If I said, "Today you can do as many or as few jumping jacks and stretching exercises as you want and maybe we'll run around the block once or twice. Tomorrow, same thing. Ditto that the next day for the next ten weeks. Then, the week of the marathon I want you to start running those 26 miles each day so you'll be ready by the following week for the actual race." What do you think the likelihood would be that you'd ever complete the training and actually enter the race? So... it matters what kind of COACH we have and how much we listen to him or take his advice. He and his servants are telling us constantly to do our very best. That in itself is still quite ambiguous and difficult to quantify from moment to moment, day to day, year to year... it varies... there are so many variables... how do we know if we're even making progress... much less progressing at a rate pleasing to our COACH? Who are we trying to convince that we're trying hard enough? Or doing enough? Ourselves, or Him? ... Or is it even about that? Is there even an actual race we're training for? Is its date and time known? Is the race even the real goal or is the goal something BEYOND the race... ? Maybe the coach is just using us? Leading us on? Making us do meaningless tasks He doesn't want to do himself? Is it about HIM or us? Why do we even NEED him at all? Couldn't we just train ourselves to be a world-class runner? All we have to do is want it enough, right? Consider this... ---------> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg21M2zwG9Q (Apologies for the curse words at the beginning of the scene ... I wish we had clearplay for this scene... But the message is good! ) Sometimes the kind of training and the day-to-day grind may only be a small part of the goal... only a shadow of what's really happening... As we "train" we're actually learning to become something and somebody... maybe only the COACH knows what... The lesson may not start to jell until LONG after we've been involved in the process... Then whether we gave it 100% one day and 40 % another day or whatever, may not really be the deciding factor so much as that we continued on with the lessons, trusting that there would be a point to them all and that we were growing in ways that we didn't understand we were growing ...

Hmmm... If originality is really just obscuring your sources then... Sorry to pull away your duck blind.

It partially is... Ish... Not the ish part but the ood part. ----- > https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ood And now we return you to our regularly scheduled topic...

I agree with TFP (and words of Pres. Benson) and would also like to add this:The restoration is ongoing. Pres. Uchtdorf talked about this in our most recent General Conference. https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/are-you-sleeping-through-the-restoration?lang=eng I'm not comfortable with the interpretation that the Lord's marvelous work is some single divisive event by itself. It surely appears as though we could be heading toward something of that nature.. But the marvelous work I see is all of the positive change being brought about by an ONGOING restoration .. The marvelous work is probably seen by many in the world as a "strange" work because people shrouded in darkness find it difficult to comprehend light. Whether they rail against one or more aspects of the light.. THAT is division.. and, IMHO *also* ongoing.

My heart goes out to you. It sounds like you're on the right track. It takes time to heal from serious wounds. Just keep doing the best you can. It's a great blessing that your children are flourishing. I would consider that as a tender mercy from the Lord. With regard to faith and addiction from your past, please do your best to be kind to yourself. Just about everyone I've met with addictions wonders why the healing can't happen faster, struggles with some relapse, and wonder why their faith isn't as strong as they would like it to be. Give yourself time and try not to compare yourself too much to others who seem like they're healing faster.. You may especially feel discouraged when you hear such "faith promoting" stories of people who prayed and then said that the desire to smoke, drink, etc. was immediately taken from them never again to return. Though such things can and do happen sometimes, they are, I believe, not how most people experience healing. For most of us the process takes longer and is something that we really have to continue working hard at before those cravings for our previous life and self will begin to diminish. The good news is that healing and increased faith do happen.. but each person is unique and the time table and experience varies from person to person. Allow yourself to have the personalized experience that the Lord is trying to give you. He truly knows best what you need. If you feel like you're having a hard time trusting Him, don't be afraid to take those feelings to Him directly in prayer. He wil bless you and you will feel your understanding and confidence increase. May the Lord bless you, my sister. My prayers are with you also. :)

we now return you to our regularly scheduled program... Palerider, Not sure I understand your question. Are you asking if ISIS and Iran might ever join forces against the U. S.? If so, again I think the sectarian divide is probably too wide.. not to mention that ISIS is not even allied with most Sunnis. Though who can say how this might evolve over time..? Presently, however, an alliance of any sort would seem quite unlikely.

I don't think these two principles are at odds with each other... nor are they meant to be. They're complimentary. Perhaps we need to be more specific when we speak of agency. What if we called it "righteous use of agency?" Finrock asked a very insightful question: Could Jesus Christ be exalted and ascend to the Father without us? My question: What would be the point of him being exalted without anyone else following? Some might answer: What if nobody chose to follow him? Then only he would be exalted and it would just be The Father and The Son.. but none of us. My question: Why would the Father design a plan with that kind of potential for catastrophic failure? Is that even possible? Here's my point: ------------------ > HE WOULDN"T!!! HE DIDN"T!!!! The gospel plan is a beautiful plan because it DOES work. As many as possible WILL be exalted. Is this not evident in the scriptures? Consider the parable of the wedding in Matthew 22: 1 And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: 6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 ¶And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen It seems clear to me that both righteous agency and faithful service are crucial to the plan of salvation. Any thing else will not exalt us. Any other way will not exalt. We're not trying to become like Jesus so we can be part of some ultra-exclusive club in the stars. We're trying to be like him because that's the kind of use of agency that exalts.... it lifts others around us... that's the very essence of it... it's inclusive... but NOT coercive... Servants are required to invite and help gather as many as are willing to "attend the wedding" or be exalted... and by being righteous and faithful servants they become heirs to exaltation as well. This has always been the Father's will... to bring along as many of us as possible. Wouldn't a loving father want that?

Being quick to repent is always advisable.. no matter what is happening in the world.. That being said, ISIS and Iran joint venture.. unlikely due to the Shiite/Sunni differences... Although I wouldn't completely rule it out if briefly uniting meant they thought they could stomp out Israel...

mission homecoming his testimony has grown an accent

My lawn mower is a sulcatta tortoise.. (Translation: We have no lawn left . .. Over-grazed into a dirtscape .)

Perhpas that was the Spirit nudging you ..? :) Not that it's your sole responsibility to guide the discussion or usurp it... especially when you're just visiting the Ward... still, you have a testimony... would that not invite the Spirit? Also, sometimes when we take a more active part in the discussion that can change how we personally perceive it .. That being said, I don't know if it's all that unusual for a lesson to occasionally be derailed or lose focus sometimes... Not all teachers are equally adept at keeping discussions on topic.. especially in some wards where the level of experience may not be as deep as in some more "seasoned" wards.. And some High Priests may also have a tendency to ramble now and then (myself included...) :)

Jesus wasn't creating contention or division. With his insightful counter-question he was exposing the hypocrisy and duplicity of the so-called spiritual leaders. The contention and division was already there.. firmly planted in the hearts of these wicked and conspiring men. In a masterful way he quickly exposed it and then refused to answer since it was not an honest inquiry to begin with. So, what I take away from this is that pure evil has no desire to ever reach an understanding .. only to dominate and/or destroy all differing views by whatever means available. We cannot ever become unified with it.. only expose it and banish it or stand in silent testimony against it if we're required of the Lord to endure it and not yet allowed to remove ourselves from it.

Self evaluation questions are silly and an almost meaningless exercise. They smack of bureaucracy and politics and managerial laziness. They can be used to justify almost anything. True, all-too-often it's company policy to do these things so even a good manager won't really have a choice... but any manager worthy of actually leading or managing would probably not put a lot of stock in them, but would get to actually know his or her employees by (gasp... dare I say it) ... talking and interacting with them on a regular basis. Surveys only get answers that people think the "management" want to hear... not honesty or real communication which are more likely to come out in everyday situations and not on some bullet point list thought up by somebody in HR.

I believe one of the biggest perils of our time is the ever-increasing popularity of the philosophy preached by Korihor. Alma 30:17 And many more such things did he say unto them, telling them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime. Why do I bring this up and what does it have to do with the question of if/how/why or why doesn't our Father intervene..? I think there have been many good comments already as to why He doesn't micro-manage our lives. Where would that leave agency and faith? But what do we mean when we say that God rarely intervenes? Does that mean He is basically uninvolved in our lives? Or is His involvement subtle and gentle? .. So much so that we often fail to notice it..? We live in a time that celebrates rugged individualism. Frank Sinatra, Sid Vicious and how many karaoke singers sing, "I did it MY WAY!" ... And revel in that as though it were the ultimate purpose in life.. "I control my own destiny .. based on my own ingenuity and clarity of vision. I pull myself up by my bootstraps and I conquer! Sure I have flaws. Who doesn't? The point is: just look at what I've done for the world! " How much do we *really* do? .. And how much are we blessed with? I believe our Father is hugely involved in each and every one of our lives. I believe each and every one of us have been protected, blessed, and nurtured in more ways than we know. In our better moments, as we open our hearts in thankfulness, we begin to see small glimpses of these blessings as our Father opens our view to things as they really are. So, I think, it's less of a question of whether He intervenes in behalf of the prayers of the righteous or to thwart wickedness. He absolutely does both! He will *always* do both. The real question is, why do we sometimes have such difficulty seeing and understanding what it is He's really trying to do for each of us? .. And I don't mean that in some general sense.. I believe, not only is there a grand overarching Plan of Salvation... But there is also a very particular and specific Plan of Salvation finely tuned and tailored to each and every one of us. Our Father knows exactly what I need and exactly what you need in order to become more like Him. I watch in amazement at some of you, my brothers and sisters, and it seems to me that the very jaws of hell have gaped open wide after you.. and yet, despite those trials you still manage to somehow have faith and optimism! I hope I can be as courageous as you if I'm ever called to experience what some of you have gone through.

How about a counter question ... or two... maybe more...: Was Joseph Smith of one heart and mind with his bretheren? If so, how so, when some of them didn't always agree with him? If not, why not? ... (and is there any hope for the rest of us?) What does it really mean to be "one" ? Are we getting any closer to being one as a people? To me, being one is synonymous with being a Zion society... on a macro level. Can one be "one" on the individual level ? Perhaps one with the Lord ? How on-the-same-page does one need to be with one's bretheren (and sisteren... :)) in order to "BE ONE" ...? Are the the General Authorities of the Church one? If so, how? Seeing as they have divergent backgrounds and personalities? Is the Quorum of the 12 one with the First Presidency?

Good luck, MGator! Hope you feel welcomed in your new ward.

.... I think you're missing the point on this one... If I went in and tearfully confessed to my bishop that I had opted to only pay 1/ 5th of my income as tithing instead of the more-typical 1/ 10th of my income, my bishop, who is an accountant by trade, would probably say something like, "That's ok, Brother Squidster. Your offering is acceptable to the Lord. ... But you might want to consider taking a remedial math course ..."

Actually nobody hardly ever mentions the simple fact that, hey, if you don't want to pay 1 / 10th of your income you can actually opt to pay 1 / 5th instead. Most bishops are ok with this and would still consider you a full tithe payer.

Jamie, Sorry you're worried about your wife. I hope and pray everything will go well and that the surgery will be performed well and that she won't experience any complications. In my younger days I used to get my hackles up at so-called "Christians" who leveled charges at me or my loved ones that we're not Christian. I felt like LDS believers were unfairly singled out until I decided to peruse a "Christian" news group or two and see what the tone was like there. And, Lo and behold, not so different from the LDS forum, discord and accusations were hurled about, the biggest being ----- > "You're not a Christian!" .. Baptist condemning baptist.. Pentecostal condemning Methodist... Etc. That made me feel quite-a-bit less singled out as an LDS Christian. It also helped me realize that I'd essentially been guilty of the same thing. I had been quick to fire back with my own rejoinders of, "Oh yeah, well let me tell you all the reasons why *you're* not a Christian!" Why does this happen? Is it because we have doctrinal differences? Certainly we do. But is it only about that? What kind of spirit prevails in the discussion? Does kindness matter? Can one be kind AND speak the plain truth? I think we, who really should be brothers and sisters in Christ our Savior, are often our own worst enemies. Don't most of us believe that Jesus really was and is who He said? ... Not just a great teacher who made some good points about ethics, love and forgiveness... He really IS the Son of God.. Not just some ancient fairytale or prophet who was misquoted.. For those of us who really put all our faith and hope in that core of our doctrine, that He is the living Son of God, despite which building we attend, whether it has a cross or a steeple or neither, wouldn't that faith and hope make each of us a Christian?

I'm not sure I fully understand the concept of putting God in a box. Does that mean not exercising enough faith in God? (If that's the case then we're all guilty. Who among us doesn't feel like they could and should increase their faith?)

I love that article. Women like Carolina are the true women, mothers and feminists. I'm convinced there are many of you women here in the forum who likewise carry the torch of true womanhood and feminism... not the hi-jacked version we see so increasingly prevalent in the world. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the establishment of the Relief Society pretty much predate all the modern women's movements? Isn't it interesting that our LDS mothers were the first feminists in the true sense of the word? I think they were anyway... and they still are. Who these women are is even more powerful than their words. Women like my mother, my wife, my daughter.... and women like you. :) Thank you so much for who you are and who you are striving to be! The world doesn't get it... but, thankfully, you do.

He was the first apostle I remember shaking hands with. That was many years ago when I was just a young kid. I always loved his Wasatch twaaaang because my grandmother spoke with a similar accent and to me that was kind of the sound of home and extended family.

My son is a huge fan of bad lip reading... I occasionally get sucked in too...

Trumpet guy, Thanks so much for sharing! Loneliness is such a rough thing. I hope you feel a little less lonely here among us. :). You are most welcome here. It sounds like you've been on quite a long spiritual journey, but you haven't thrown in the towel yet. I admire your tenacity. Keep going! You might just be on the verge of discovering a few wonderful things.

I'm intrigued by your thought that the universe itself might be "alive" .. I've begun to wonder if Kolob is even a star in this universe. I also wonder if it's possible that the entire universe is the telestial realm in which we find ourselves. In other words, everything which we can "observe" around us ... Is it telestial ? If so, then would everything science can learn about be limited to telestial law? All just speculations... In any event, the things we are able to learn and observe have great value to us here and now. How much those things might evolve and transform in the future..? Will be interesting to see...